My aspiration to become an OB-GYN is rooted in a personal understanding of the critical importance of ensuring that women feel safe, heard, respected, and supported in healthcare settings. Following my experience with sexual assault and volunteer work with a non-profit that provides support for survivors of violence, abuse, and exploitation, I gained a new perspective on the dynamics between patients, support systems, and healthcare providers. I came to understand the profound vulnerability individuals may experience when their bodily autonomy and sense of safety are compromised. This realization underscored for me the significant responsibility healthcare providers hold in fostering an environment where patients feel empowered to communicate openly about their bodies, symptoms, and experiences. This experience further motivated me to pursue women’s health, as I am committed to becoming a physician who listens attentively and validates patients’ concerns. Women often present with symptoms that are complex or easily misunderstood, and I believe it is essential that every patient’s concerns are addressed with seriousness and respect. My particular interest in Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) and Premenstrual Exacerbation (PME) stems from recognizing that these conditions frequently go unrecognized and untreated for extended periods. This realization highlighted the urgent need for increased awareness and understanding within women’s healthcare. As a future OB-GYN, I am dedicated to integrating PMDD and PME into routine patient care. I plan to incorporate regular screening and patient education regarding premenstrual disorders into my future clinical practice. I aim to develop the skills necessary to identify patterns in patients’ symptoms across their menstrual cycles and to encourage patients to track their experiences for accurate documentation and discussion. Rather than attributing severe emotional or physical symptoms to 'normal PMS,' I intend to recognize when further evaluation and support are warranted. I also aspire to integrate clinical care with ongoing education and research throughout my career. I am committed to deepening my understanding of the relationship between reproductive health and mental health, and to contributing to research that advances the recognition and treatment of PMDD and PME. Additionally, I hope to educate fellow healthcare professionals about these conditions, ensuring that patients are not required to spend years seeking validation for their symptoms. My experiences have demonstrated that healthcare extends beyond diagnosis and treatment. A compassionate provider can empower patients to feel respected, validated, and in control of their healthcare decisions. I am committed to upholding this principle throughout my career as an OB-GYN. Through compassionate care, enhanced screening and education, and advocacy for greater recognition of PMDD and PME, I hope to contribute to a healthcare system in which women no longer face barriers to having their symptoms understood and addressed.

The more I've grown, the more I've become aware of the economic inequity among those who are systemically marginalized. This included those who live in rural areas, BIPOC, refugees, and immigrants. Both my mother and father came to the United States to seek a better, safer life. My parents received asylum due to the civil war in El Salvador, to permit them to reside here in the United States. The violent war wiped out most of my father's family. He lived with his mother and siblings in the middle of the jungle with no electricity, and soldiers were constantly near, hiding in trenches on my grandfather's land. My mother told me the night they decided to flee was when soldiers broke into their house and shot up the house; fortunately for them, they hid themselves well and missed all of the bullets. They came here with no more than a huge language barrier, being unpretentious monolingual Spanish speakers. My parents were among those who were victims of the malpractice of Bank of America within communities of color. It made it very difficult with the family's housing situation. Unfortunately, they were unable to receive any sort of compensation. Eventually, my family was able to build a humble home for ourselves. It's these modern-day institutionalized exclusions that have an immense impact on those who come from underprivileged communities. Another systemic barrier has been my parents' struggle with attempting to become citizens. As time has passed, it has become even more complex with even newer blockages within the system. Financial peace is important to me because it is the hope of all my parents and other marginalized residents. I have the privilege to be a citizen because I was born on U.S soil. Finances have been a large blockage that has impacted my family. At times, we've had to go without heat in the winter to make ends meet. Financial peace gives overall personal stability in our capitalist country. Being a first-generation student, I carry an immense amount of pressure every day to do well in my classes. With my hope to be a Physician Assistant one day, the stress of doing well in my schooling sits heavily on me. With my family not being financially privileged, I feel obligated to excel and not fail, because if I do fail, I'd have to retake classes, which is costly. With no financial stress, I wouldn't feel so much stress personally with my schooling. Instead of having to work so much, I could do things I enjoy more, like volunteering. I'd love to spend my free time advocating for those who are marginalized, because equity and equality keep a healthy community together.